The cooperation of the competent state bodies with the great American institution in the field of culture, the Getty Institute, for the preparation and installation of the special shelter for the mosaics of Kato Paphos, has been interrupted for reasons that have not yet been known, despite the significant amount of money that was allocated during this cooperation by the Cypriot state for the preparation of specialized studies.
This new negative development, according to information from "F", cancels for the umpteenth time the planning and schedules for the implementation of the major project and now the time horizon for the arrival of the special shelter in the Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos is postponed by at least five years again.
The project was preceded by an international competition, with the support of the Getty Conservation Institute, and a relevant study was prepared, which was characterized as the "Phase A" of the project. After the collapse of these efforts, the Deputy Ministry of Culture is making efforts to restart cooperation with the aim of completing the project, as mentioned in a session in the Parliament for the approval of the Budget of the Deputy Ministry for 2026. However, according to our information, the launch of the procedures for such a serious and specialized issue cannot be immediate and the first estimates speak of the implementation of the project of the construction of the special shelter in 2031, at least provided that no new obstacles appear again during the process that will start again.
These developments have once again caused disappointment in Paphos and cultural institutions as the unique value mosaics will continue to remain exposed to weather conditions, which accelerates their deterioration. With the announcement of the developments, Paphos institutions are pushing for the acceleration of the procedures, in order to ensure as soon as possible the protection and preservation of these valuable cultural treasures, which are an integral part of the world cultural heritage and our national identity, as they pointed out.
